Hundreds protest PDD cuts at Redford's Calgary office

Hundreds gathered Friday outside of the premier's constituency office in Calgary to protest cuts to programs for persons with developmental disabilities.

Advocacy groupspeg the cutsat roughly $60 million and are planning another rally at noon outsidethe Alberta legislature in Edmonton.

"We would rather be inside talking than outside protesting but story after story from concerned citizens is not getting through," said Denise Young, a member of the disability advocates group Disability Action Hall. "We are here as a community standing up for the services that we need."

The province is shifting funds away from a community access program that helps get people with developmental disabilities into the community through volunteer and recreational activities.

It is also investing $2 million into workforce-oriented programs, which it hopes will help more people with developmental disabilities into the workforce.

"This is not a budget matter," said Human Services Minister Dave Hancock. "This is not being driven from a budget perspective. It's being driven from a services perspective."

However, many are still concerned about how the changes will impact their loved ones.

"Hundreds and hundreds of individuals, family members and service providers have spent weeks telling Associate Minister Frank Oberle and other MLAs that these cuts are harmful and will result in terrible things for disabled people who require services," said Ryan Geake, executive director of the Calgary SCOPE Society.

Premier speaks to reporters

Premier Alison Redfordspoke to reporters Friday morning aboutthe concerns of those rallying.

"We think that the people who are part of our PDD program, and the families and the clients that PDD serves, are a fundamental part of our community and our province," Redford said. "I know from discussions I've had with families, and with community leaders, that there are other ways that are more effective in terms of providing those community supports for clients of PDD."

She said the province is committed to making sure that no one is left without the help they need.

"I understand that people are nervous, because changes is difficult," she said.

"Our commitment is to ensure that everyone who needs services gets services. It is not our commitment to ensure that we keep funding service providers which are essentially, even as not-for-profits, businesses."